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Post by holly2007 on Mar 27, 2021 15:19:03 GMT
Hi Everyone,
As Mark Twain says: “the more I know people, the more I love my dog.” I can’t believe that even a health crisis would become a political issue. Of course, the 24-hour news cycle and social media don’t help.
We have had so much rain here. On Wednesday, we had a tornado warning. Thankfully we could all go down to the library’s first floor and spread out. That floor is underground.
Sue, I ordered a pillow to use to help straighten my neck out. Joan I need to start doing weights again. I can tell that I’ve gotten really weak, even with hauling book carts around.
My brother measured an area in my yard to build a fence to protect the garden and give some space for a dog to run around. I think he will work on that in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping to get another dog at some point this summer.
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on Mar 27, 2021 21:32:27 GMT
Holly, right with you on the weights and muscles losing strength!
Today DH and I have been planting containers in the back yard—two new pots and reviving old ones—geraniums and snaps and marigolds—have gotten 9000 steps and it’s only mid afternoon! ❤️
Had BF’s over for cards last night and ordered in—I skipped and made self a salad with pork tenderloin for protein. Did not feel at all deprived as DH had read the calorie counts of the items on the Pei Wei menu before he ordered! Yikes!
I am totally feeling weight loss now===learning that feeling the change on my clothes is way more positive reinforcement than that darn scale! That’s a huge life lesson for me at 76!
we were able to walk this morning early as there was only a slight breeze.
Oh, Holly, I hope you get to have a dog again! We are so enjoying introducing Tanzi to the outdoors in the back yard—she is loving it so much—she’s been so good—we leave the door open and she goes in and has a bite to eat and goes back out—watches the birds constantly and has learned that she can make those pigeons fly away—hasn’t figured out how to surprise the little birds yet but I have a feeling her little brain is growing by leaps and bounds! She and Sidney were out for about five minutes together—no tether on Sidney—he did not chase her—baby steps!
I am going to make my homemade bread and track it and see how much it’s worth—maybe have a slice a day toasted if it’s not any worse than Killer Dave’s.
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Post by holly2007 on Apr 5, 2021 20:19:27 GMT
Happy Spring!
I got my second Moderna shot on Friday, so I am glad to have that behind me. We had Easter with family at the lake on Saturday. First time I had seen many of them in over a year.
Sue, did you watch the NCAA tournament? My BF is pulling for Baylor over Gonzaga tonight. Roy Williams just retired from UNC and they just announced his replacement. So next year will be interesting. Roy started the same year I started at UNC so he is really the main coach I know there.
After 4 days off my neck feels better. I went to the chiropractor today. My neck haha a compressed nerve on the right side that is due to the computer. Not sure what to do about it other than proactively try to keep it from reaching this point.
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on Apr 7, 2021 17:49:00 GMT
Happy Birthday, Holly! And congrats on vaccination wrap up! So nice to see people with some confidence again! I am having lunch out with my former boss today—second lunch out in over a year and a month! So fun!
Weigh in day here for me tomorrow—no idea how I’m doing other than how I feel—and I feel thinner around the waist—that’s where I gain the most! I am now five weeks out—and I am craving free—absolutely doesn’t bother me to sit in front of a plate of sweet muffins and not take at least a bite—that’s a real sign of progress for me—I’m like an alcoholic with sugar and I feel like DH who gave up drinking over 14 years ago and finally has no desire for alcohol even when sitting in front of it! I am still keeping the scale put away except on Thurs mornings—the difference is pretty dramatic—I am “feeling” like I’m losing—tried on some dresses last night that I’ve not worn in about 2 years and they were a fit! So whatever the scale says doesn’t really matter—something is changing! Yay!
My gym is reopening in a week or so—abbreviated schedule and only 45 min classes but I will be able to do the sit and fit weights class again and Pilates so that should be good for me!
Have been potting like crazy—so excited as we got the electrical hook up for the 240 line for my baby kiln yesterday. So we are ready. Just need the kiln to get done!
I’m sitting on the patio and Tanzi is exploring all over the yard—she is learning that she can see lizards and birds and wind blown leaves—climb on rocks and walk around on grass and she loves it—still has not tried to jump the wall. But we are very cautious and “babysit” her out here. I think this is so good for her little brain and she seems so happy! DH and I bought some new geraniums and a gorgeous two pots—I put the tall one where I had a rose bush taken out—it was very old and just a pain to take care of—everything is in bloom or starting—iris are just beginning to open up. Snapdragons are beautiful as are the marigold. This is Vegas’s best time! Of course my allergies are raging! LOL
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Post by nov21987 on Apr 8, 2021 17:42:21 GMT
Happy birthday Holly! I did watch part of the game, was rooting for Gonzaga, I tend to root for the underdog. Wonderfull that you were able to be with family for Easter. To help your neck, maybe take some more little breaks and do some stretching?
Congrats on the weight loss Joan! You are doing really well controlling your sweet urges. You sound very busy between gardening and pottery. What happened to Tanzi that she can't see?
Well, SO and I had our first meal at a restaurant with my oldest nephew (he was vaccinated at his med school). I had made the reservation for outside seating but it was so cold we ended up inside. I was a little apprehensive, but it was late afternoon time (after lunch before dinner) and not too many people. It felt so normal, and so great to see my nephew after more than a year. He just graduated med school and will start his residency in June.
My mom is getting her second shot today, yay!
We postponed our trip to Tucson, the house that SO really likes has scaffolding all over it and really not worth going to see yet. Maybe in May.
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on Apr 8, 2021 19:17:46 GMT
Yay for eating out, Sue! I had lunch out again yesterday with my former boss who I’d not seen in person since my 70th birthday bash—we ate outside and talked for 3 1/2 hours! Oh my gosh!
I’m down another pound today. DH is now down 20. So my total is 8– but not bad for my height and being female I think. Had fun trying on some dresses and they fit—even my 70th birthday dress! Yay!
I tried carving sort of in relief i think it’s called—a mug that has DGD’s cat Nick looking out the window of her apt at the NY skyline—a representation of it—included the Chrysler building and the Empire St building and that very modern one down near Wall Street. So hoping I can finish it up with glaze that works. It’s a surprise if it turns out.
Sue hope you get to go to Tucson in May. So glad everyone is getting shots!
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Post by nov21987 on Apr 20, 2021 18:36:17 GMT
Hi!
PA right now is one of the states with highest rate of infection, ugh. It is mostly due to all the rural conservative parts of the state. So frustrating, the longer this drags on the more mutations and variants, just read today that they found a brand new variant in Texas. In keeping with all the other new variants it's more transmissible, more symptomatic and infecting younger people.
I've been watching the George Floyd trial, wow, some parts were as dramatic as a tv show. The defense is terrible and their experts were pathetic. Nervous about the outcome, you just never know.
The house we were going to look at inTucson was supposed to be ready by June, then it was September and now it's more towards the end of the year. Tomorrow we have an online meeting with the realtor and developer/architects to discuss.
Last weekend was so fun. I went to my mom's and my sister, my 2 aunts from NJ and one of their daughters (my cousin) with her 3 year old daughter also came. It was emotional for me, I haven't seen my NJ relatives in over a year.
Then that evening, SO and I went out to dinner with a couple from the suburbs - they had a meeting with their tax accountant in the city. We went to a restaurant by our house and ate outside. Everybody was vaccinated, except my sister but she will be soon.
Joan, you are doing so well with losing! Congrats on fitting into your old birthday dress.
Our cruiseline is starting back up in July. We know people who are going to start cruising this year. It will be interesting to see how that goes. Most cruiselines are requiring everyone including crew be vaccinated. I just read an article about a focus group of people against vaccines saying they would be willing to get a fake vaccination card so they can travel and go to events. WTH!!!! Just get the damn vaccine! Unbelievable.
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Post by holly2007 on Apr 21, 2021 21:37:46 GMT
Sue, I bet that was a great feeling seeing everyone. NC is holding steady so far. The governor is talking about lifting all restrictions except for the mask mandate by June 1. Who knows what the Memorial Day backlash will be. People are really lax about wearing a mask here in the town that the university is in. They are strict on campus.
Joan, I planted some spinach and arugula. They should be ready in a week or so. It has been cooler than usual this spring. Possible frost tonight! Dad made me two more raised bed boxes for my birthday and I’ll start the summer plants in a couple of weeks.
I turned in my capstone last Friday. I hope to hear whether I passed by the end of this week.
I’ve been going to the chiropractor every two weeks or so. From now on I am going to go once a month. Lots of issues due to my right side being smaller and only having vision in one eye.
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on May 1, 2021 22:57:15 GMT
We are back from Sacramento as of Wednesday night—had such a good time—so surprised DGD”s—they were in total shock—we sneaked into the back yard and Molly saw DH’s hat go by the window and thought they were being robbed—and then here we come in the back door. DGD20 is on the plane now headed home to NYC—she loved her NYC mug with her cat on it.
We also saw DGS20 in Reno—had lunch with him and his girlfriend—he’s doing really well in school and looks great!
I have managed to stay off the scale so no idea how that’s going but I can now put every single pair of pants on that are hanging in my closet—so that’s good. Today I am baking my first thing since working with the nutritionist—and yes, I ate some batter—not much tho—making banana bread for a new neighbor that I am very late welcoming into the neighborhood.
I walked 3 mi today—DH didn’t sleep well so didn’t walk—I can go further when he doesn’t go but I want him to go. He’s lost 21 pounds and looks great.
We ate out IN a restaurant last night—first time since March14, 2020.
Holly, my cherry tomatoes are setting on the vine but no others yet. Onions are up and so are the beets but not growing very fast—I don’t know why.
Sue, my neighbors who left moved back to Tucson—they just love it there—I have never been but we plan to go—
I just finished another good—The Weight of Ink—fairly “heavy” read but excellent—I learned a lot—especially about the Jewish community that fled Portugal in the 1600’s due to the inquitsition and some moved to England.
Just started reading the Empire of Pain about the Satler family who perpetrated the whole OxyContin disaster in America. Really scary to read about how that family impacted the use of all kinds of drugs in the US. And branded themselves as super philanthropists getting things named after them everywhere in NY and other major cities.
My gym opens on Monday—will sign up for Pilates and Sit and Fit (weights) and maybe tai chi. That would give me something every day besides my walking. Which would be good.
I have to have my blood test next week—will be interesting to see how my numbers are. Hoping they are really good. Although I should not have tasted the batter! LOL—I’ll stay away from the banana bread—made an extra loaf so that I could have a treat for BF’s playing cards tonight but I will skip.
I bought a new pair of shoes in CA and got home and realized I bought them too small! Yikes—have to call on Monday and see if I can send them back.
Hope everyone is doing well. Happy May!
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Post by nov21987 on May 5, 2021 22:44:46 GMT
Hi! Quick post... We are in Tucson this week. Left Sunday. We have been busy with meetings with realtor, architect, interior designer, etc the past few days. We really like the house, it is perfect for us. Ugh. I'm not ready to make this move. House won't be ready until the end of this year. We won't be able to do our world cruise in January, which is really disappointing to me. I'll check back when I have more time. Tonight we're going back to the house to see the sun set with some wine!
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on May 9, 2021 22:25:35 GMT
Oh my gosh, Sue—does that mean you are buying? Wow—I’m excited and sad at the same time—are you going to keep a smaller place back east to visit family, etc? If you are moving, I am going to get Gary to plan a trip to Tucson for sure!
Happy Mother’s Day to all your mom’s everywhere—I had a brunch this morning—just six of us—three women who don’t have kids in town—it was so nice—a mixed group but Gary threw out a question that totally broke the ice (not that it was very icy) and got everyone talking and sharing—we chatted about our own mothers—where they came from—grew up, etc. was so very interesting. I made two quiches—one person brought fruit kabobs and another green salad—I made homemade bread for toast==Gave all the moms a tiny ceramic bird I’d made with a tiny bird notecard-=-one of the guests is a potter too and brought me the prettiest vase she made with yellow tulips, another brought some purple iris—together in the vase it looked like a floral arrangement from the florist! We all sat on the patio and chatted for three hours!
Tonight we are going up to DD’s boy friends house for dinner—they are ordering in. His house is out toward RedRock, Sue—up higher—he designed his back yard and it’s beautiful—reminds me of wetlands—really cool.
I’m thinking we have lost JoAnne from our little group—has anyone heard anything in ages? Hope she’s not unwell!
My baby kiln is arriving a week from Tuesday—cannot wait! It is so exciting! DH rearranged the garage to creat my own little workspace—pretty cool!
I have made another horse—for decoration only—I think it is quite cool—I actually got the musculature correct I believe—even my horse fanatic daughter thinks so.
I’ve not weighed in three weeks—OMG, longest ever! However, had to order smaller bras and can now wear all my closet—the size 6 dresses, of which there are only 3, are a bit snug around the waist but I think in another couple weeks that will be fine—they are wearable now but I would like them to be looser there. I think I have more waist at my age than I used to. DH has lost 25 pounds—is weighing weekly—Wednesday I go to the nutritionist so will weigh that morning. Our gym opened up too so I have Pilates three days a week for 45 minutes and weights and tai chi—with walking I think that makes a difference as well. Very psyched about all this as I seldom crave any thing sweet—the pairing of protein or fat with carbs has an amazing result craving wise—no highs and lows relative to food! I may actually get down to a weight closer to what WW always wanted for me as I feel I will continue to eat this way—it’s just more comfortable!
I have new neighbors—took a banana bread over and came back an hour later—they are so interesting—and so likable—they are both from SiriLanka—moved here from CA—he has worked all around the world and is now retired and so they will settle here—they have three daughters in CA. Was planning to have them here this morning but their daughters surprised them and showed up at the house last night for Mom’s Day!
Holly I would imagine your family are all together celebrating with your mom today? Sue did you see your mom?
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Post by holly2007 on May 10, 2021 21:29:55 GMT
Hi all,
The academic year is finally over. We had our staff workshop today, which evolved into a day long staff meeting. Sigh, academia.
My parents came over here, and we ordered takeout. We had a short window of time because my sister works the third shift as a CNA on the weekends. We all went in on money towards plants for mom.
Sue, will there be the caliber of dining choices there, that you have now in Philly? Is SO selling his books? Those sure are fun to move, lol. Sorry about the cruise! Are you going to postpone it?
I think Jo Anne is spending more time on the other social network site.
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on May 15, 2021 15:16:07 GMT
Just have to share this—I am down a total of 15 pounds since March 12 when I first met with the nutritionist! DH is down 27. We are both feeling so so good—I’ve never been free of food craving like this before. Also cholesterol is down from 222 to 183. Triglycerides down from 100 to 50. Good cholesterol is up 10 points to 63. Not in the at risk category for prediabetic any more! I see my dr on Tuesday—thinking she will be pretty happy with my numbers.
have housecleaning today so we are getting a second (for DH) pedicure and then breakfast out.
Finished The Weight of Ink second reading—skimmed the first half and literally re-read the second half—wow, the kind of book you get so much more out of second time around!
DGD20 got A’s and one B—taking one class the first half of summer session now. So proud of her!
Pollen counts here are over the roof—mesquite pollen everywhere—streets are yellow! I am sneezing like crazy!
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jojowo
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SHORT AND SWEET GODDESSES
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Post by jojowo on May 15, 2021 18:58:53 GMT
Hi everyone- could not find a post for me since Feb- I know this is not right- my last one must not have posted. Anyway- Just got back from St. Simons for a week with DH, sister from NC and her SO. We met a childhood neighbor and friend and her husband who came over from Florida for 2 days. Before this we had a birthday party for my sister who turned 80 in March with all my family - that is my brothers and sisters and spouses- we could not get the children and grandchildren to come. I guess they didn’t want to sit around with us old ones and celebrate . But it was fun anyway!
I have had both of my vaccines- Pfizer. DH will not take them. GA had lifted the mask mandate and I am so glad- it seems like I smother after a while with it on. Easter I was able to go to church without a mask- so great.
I’m back to being able to work in the yard again 😉 and it is wonderful. The sunny days have been great to be outside.
We had an email about our next Franklin-Bache reunion in June- I was very disappointed though as they are doing it vertualy. I will miss the “real thing “.
Keeping the grands this weekend while DS and DDIL hike the Appalachian trail. The kids have been great- now that they are getting older, they are so much more independent.
I have been crocheting like crazy and have made 5 Afghan throws for Christmas gifts next year. I have at least one more to make. Just finished a pair of socks and I am now working on a summer top (knitting) for me.
My newest TV obsession is “The Outlander”- my father’s family is descended from the MacDonald in Scotland- so all of the Scottish history is very interesting to me. I am in season 5..
Planning a trip to NC in late summer - early Fall , to go to the mountains with my sister. We thought it would be nice to go to a cooler climate.
I still have my FB site but am not on it at all anymore- use MEWE as social media site now.
DH and I are addicted to brownies! I make a pan full every week . We do try to limit ourselves to one per day. We have found that we eat a good breakfast, a hot meal lunch, and just snack in the evening - something like roasted almonds and Gatorade and maybe a square of Ghiradelli’s intense dark sea salt Sorree.
We have some new neighbors that are so nice. They are a young couple with a 20mo old son ad a 7 yr old daughter. He teaches history at a private high school and she is a pharmacist working part time at Walgreens. Good to have young people in our neighborhood again.
I will try to be more “visable” here in the future- have missed you ladies!
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jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on May 16, 2021 14:32:10 GMT
I was so surprised to see you had posted, JoAnne! It sounds as if your body is finally back to normal and you are enjoying friends and family again. It is so amazing—we ate at DD’s last night as DGS20 was in town from Reno for one night—the six of us played our favorite Marble Pursuit game—first family game since Feb, 2020. We will drive to SLCity and visit our oldest son Memorial Day weekend. Tomorrow DS Park Ranger comes and spends one night here with us.. and the whole family is abuzz about Hawaii in late July because it appears we will actually get to go!!
I am mucking out the closet in our “office” which developed into our mess with my needing clay drying space and just our basic clutter. I’m sorting out sewing supplies and will try to sell much on FB Marketplace as I will never get around to many of the things I had been doing before—like baby blankets, flannel quilts, etc. I do have one set of flannel that I will keep as I might make a throw from it—good colors for my own couch. Today I will start to get into the guest bedroom closet also—more sewing supplies—and hopefully when all is done I will feel like I’ve shed a lot of stuff that I feel guilt over since I am basically storing stuff I don’t use! Am dying to do clay today but am trying to discipline my urges and get this going! DH will have to join me in a day or so when we start getting down to his stuff but I’m the main culprit here!
we are continuing to wear masks in public in buildings or if we go to a place with more people outdoors. It seems almost strange to walk free of the mask in the mornings but I like it, too. I can only imagine how much harder it is in warmer humid weather.
the streets are yellow with pollen and my allergies are raging!
Wow, impressed that you are getting prepped for Christmas, JoAnne—I need to start soon—I think I may do a special mug for each of my kids this year—not sure yet. I made DD in CA four more bowls to match her Christmas set—these are larger tho so will work better for pasta—clay shrinks about 12% so finding a bowl to use as a mold is hard because by the time you’re done it’s a pitifully small bowl. I found a sort of low serving bowl at the Vietnamese Market so this one might yield a decent pasta size.
My little test kiln should arrive by next week one day—can hardly wait! DH has the garage all ready for it! He created a little corner for it and then moved a table in there and set me up a little space for unloading and storing my materials.
BF’s from Florida come next Monday and stay with us about five nights—have to have my closet clean out all done and organized by then!
Ok, have to walk—so good to hear from you JoAnne and find out you are not only well, but enjoying life again in normal ways! Thank goodness for vaccines. Our whole family/group are fully vaccinated now!
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